As mentioned in my previous post, I was inspired by a address given by President Thomas S Monson in April 1972. The talk is titled: "Finishers Wanted". President Monson gave 5true marks of a finisher. These principles he feels are vital to our success. I completely agree! So I wanted to take a week to internalize these principles and make them more integrated in my life. As a running and health coach, I can see how these principles are also very vital to our success in our journey to live healthy and productive lifestyles. We can use these principles to help us finish our long and short term goals in every aspect of life. Feel free to follow the challenge with me! If you do, share what you learn or your experiences in the comment section! I would love to hear from you!

The first "Mark of a True Finisher" is: The Mark of Vision. "It has been said that the doorways of history turn on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. We are constantly making small decisions. The outcome determines the success or failure of our lives. That is why it is worthwhile to look ahead, set a course, and at least be partly ready when the moment of decision comes. True finishers have the capacity to visualize their objective."

I looked up the word vision in the dictionary and found this meaning: ​Anexperienceinwhichapersonage,thing,oreventappearsvividlyor crediblytothemind,althoughnotactuallypresent,oftenunderthe influenceofadivineorotheragency. Although we associate this meaning of the word vision more with miraculous events such as conversing with angels or deity, I do believe that we can have a vision granted to us of our lives and what we hope to become under the influence of divinity as well. Often times my dreams are the future. If we converse with God and ask Him to show us what we are capable of becoming, I believe we can vividly see in the mind what is not actually at present, under the direction of the spirit.

Another meaning I found is more commonly associated with the word vision. It is the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be. In a different address given by President Thomas S Monson in November of 1979, he taught, " Our lives will depend upon the decisions which we make—for decisions determine destiny." At a later date and in a different address much more recently, he told the story of Alice in Wonderland relating the part where she meets the Cheshire Cat and inquires which direction she should go. "That depends on where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, then it doesn't matter which direction you take."

When we have vision, we have goals and a end destination in mind. The path we choose really does matter. President Monson taught that when the time for decision has come, the time for preparation has passed. We need to know the path we want to go before we hit the cross road. As a young single adult, I am in a period of my life where I am still preparing to make large decisions in my life such as, "should I continue my education and pursue graduate school?", "shall I date and pursue marriage?", "where shall I start my career?", "how can I build a stable life financially?", and many more. For those that are past this stage in their lives...congrats! I am sure that you have other challenges to face that I am not envious of! I don't have a answer to how to obtain answers to these questions that each of us have. But I do know that if we have a vision, and we are on a good path filled with productivity and doing good things, whatever our good desire are-will surely come to pass.

President David O. McKay was fond: “You are the fellow that has to decide Whether you’ll do it or toss it aside. … Whether you’ll try for the goal that’s afar Or be contented to stay where you are.” I have learned that one of the deepest fears of man is failure. We tend to avoid making choices because we don't want to make the WRONG ONE. We also tend to make excuses for ourselves. Making choices has never been easy, especially when we have many good choices on our plate. But we should still make them and we shouldn't choose easy outs. I love what President Monson taught, "I plead with you to choose the hard way and tax your talents. Our Heavenly Father will make you equal to your tasks. If one should stumble, if one should take a course and get less than the “A” grade desired, I hope such a one will not let it become a discouraging thing to him. I hope that he will rise and try again."

My task for this challenge is to evaluate my life and set a vision for where I want to be. Too often we set goals and do not follow through. So I am going to only set 5 very obtainable goals and make a plan to accomplish them over the next year. I have a tendency to be a little over zealous and put my focus on way too many tasks at once. I`m going to write the goals down and put them where I will see them everyday (like my bathroom mirror). Then I will do one thing everyday that will get me closer to my goals.

Thanks for reading my post today! I`ll be back tomorrow with Day 2 of the Finish or Falter Challenge! Comment below with insights or things you want to share!